Our Build Process and Payment Schedule
As a business that genuinely cares, we want the build process to go smoothly. We want all our clients to know what to expect and to understand how we work. If you are considering getting your home built by us, please read this page so that you understand the process of building a tiny home or minor dwelling with us.
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1) Enquiry Stage
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During this stage, we invite you to come have a look at our workshops and builds we have in progress or complete at our workshop. We catchup in person or via email/phone and address any questions you may have about your potential build, along with available build times and current pricing guides for your preferred plan or guide prices on your custom design.
If you want something quite customised (which we love too!) we welcome you to bring/email through your drawings, Pinterest pictures, vision board, etc so we can understand what you're thinking. Custom Builds are generally a little more expensive than a set plan. For a tiny home you could factor in around an additional $3000 or for a CCC minor dwelling, an additional $6000. We do try keep additional charges to a minimum and Shaye doesn't charge hourly for customisations and revisions to the concepts - rather she works away at it until it is perfect!
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2) Build Deposit
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Once you are satisfied that all your questions have been answered and you've inspected our homes (We're confident we build the best quality and most beautiful tiny/small homes in New Zealand and so strongly suggest in person viewings!) and you have decided you'd like to get your home built by us, you can book your spot in our calendar. At this stage, you pay your (non-refundable) build deposit ($8000) which secures your booking. This payment does come off the total cost of your home. Once this has been paid we know that you are going to build with us so we can start planning and getting all the details of your home just right. Once the design is finalised, we schedule a fun and thorough planning meeting with Shaye to discuss, in detail, your plan and what selections/materials/appliances etc you would like in your home. For those who live too far for a meeting we can do all this online with you as well.
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Before your build deposit is made, we will gain a thorough understanding on the scope of your design in order to provide you with a quote. Fine tuning of this quote can be made after further material selection in your planning meeting.​
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3) Planning Meetings
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During our fun and thorough planning meeting we aim to cover every aspect of your build which requires your unique personalisation - from cladding choices down to your kitchen knobs! Because of the detail involved at this meeting we allow at least 2 hours to get everything covered. We do aim to make the majority of decisions in this planning meeting - however if there are things you want to go away and think about, that's fine too!
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4) Build Quote and Contract
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After your planning meeting, we will email you a quote and contract to check over and approve. This contract will include a full specification of your beautiful new home as well as a revised price based on the discussions in your planning meeting. If the quote needs to be adjusted we can offer you suggestions on components that could be changed to fit within your budget.
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5) Acceptance of Quote and Contract
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When you are happy with everything contained within the quote and contract, all you need to do is sign it off (indicating your acceptance) and return to us. Once we have your signed quote and contract the price of it is fixed and any material increases that occur can not effect your quote - this gives you peace of mind in these strange times of inflation.
​Once your signed contract is received we'll get straight onto pre ordering all your components so they are in our system and ready to go! It's super important to be aware that after a contract is signed it really breaks the flow of things to make any big changes on your decisions - and so we can seldom allow it. It's really tricky to explain the knock on effect of making changes once a build is entirely planned and booked into the system. Of course if your build is a few weeks out and you discover an amazing tile you adore, we're happy to switch it... Or if you fall in love with a paint colour that you hadn't seen before - we can make that change - but for the most part once a contract is signed we do need to stick to it.
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6) Building Begins
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When the building of your tiny home begins, we welcome you to the workshop often to come and view it's progress! You just need to let the team know a day in advance so we can be there to meet you and make sure our health and safety protocols are followed as we are a construction site. We're proud of our workmanship and know that we follow best build practices so have an "open door" policy in terms of seeing your home at various stages.
If you are not based in Auckland and can't make your scheduled visits - then we are totally happy to video call and/or send photos - just let us know!
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7) Completion of Your Home!
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This is the exciting stage when your tiny home is about to be delivered. Our team would have been in touch indicating the approximate completion date of your home and connecting you with our preferred tiny/small House haulage companies. The haulage company will need to inform you on transport costs and transport insurance so be sure to request this info if they haven't mentioned it. It can be handy to pencil in a date with a haulage company a month out from your estimated home completion date just so that you are on their radar!
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Shortly after booking with us, we will also provide you with information that will be helpful when setting up your brand new tiny house onsite - so that you have plenty of time to get prepared.
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More Information on Our Payment Terms and Schedule
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This is our standard payment schedule. Please keep in mind that we can offer some flexibility if it is needed, just discuss this with us. For example, if you a fixed term deposit or are waiting on funds to settle after a house sale.
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Deposit
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A non-refundable $8,000 booking fee is required to secure your build spot. (This comes off your total home cost)
Instalment 1
45%. Due 8 weeks prior to build starting date. Preliminary material ordering stage. Includes trailer, joinery, tapware, cabinetry and first stage building materials. If your date of booking is less than 8 weeks from your build starting then we will discuss payment schedules together and come up with a plan that works for everybody.
Instalment 2
25%. Due when your build has internal linings fitted and first-fit plumbing and electrics. (Approximately 3 weeks into the build).
Instalment 3
20%. Due when your build has reached the internal fit-out stage. (Approximately 6 weeks into the build).
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Instalment 4
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10% Balance remaining of the quoted price and any variations to the quoted price. This must be paid in full prior to your tiny house leaving our factory. (Approximately 1 week before delivery). At this stage of the build you are welcome to book an appointment with the team to have a final inspection and see your beautiful home complete!
Extras/ Variations
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There's seldom any extras that clients add during the build process (all decisions and selections are made in the planning stage and signed off in the contract) however, if there is a variation a client requests and we are able to make it, payment is required upon agreement of the variation/extra.